Patient transporter

ABSTRACT

An apparatus which provides for effortless moving of a nonambulatory patient from his bed or operating table to a cart, e.g., recovery room stretcher or the like and from the cart to other non-porous surfaces, e.g., X-ray tables, etc. The major component comprises an inflatable mattress having a constant flow of air pressure communicating therewith and a plurality of nozzles over one side thereof to direct air jets outwardly therefrom. The mattress normally is positioned with the air jets directed downwardly to provide an air cushion or caster for effortless sliding from one horizontal surface to another. However, the mattress may be positioned with the air jets directed upwardly for floatably supporting a patient, having sores, e.g., decubitus ulcers, on a cushion of pressurized gas a distance above the mattress.

Renfroe [451 June 6, 1972 [54] PATIENT TRANSPORTER Hiram H. Renfroe, 505Burns, West Memphis, Ark. 72301 22 Filed: Dec. 18,1970

21 App1.No.: 99,400

[72] Inventor:

521 vs. CI

3,428,973 2/1969 Hargest et a1 ..5/347 Primary Examiner-Casmir A.Nunberg Attorney-John R. Walker, 111

[ ABSTRACT An apparatus which provides for effortless moving of anonambulatory patient from his bed or operating table to a cart, e.g.,recovery room stretcher or the like and from the cart to othernon-porous surfaces, e.g., X-ray tables, etc. The major componentcomprises an inflatable mattress having a constant flow of air pressurecommunicating therewith and a plurality of nozzles over one side thereofto direct air jets outwardly therefrom. The mattress normally ispositioned with the air jets directed downwardly to provide an aircushion or caster for effortless sliding from one horizontal surface toanother. However, the mattress may be positioned with the air jetsdirected upwardly for floatably supporting a patient, having sores,e.g., decubitus ulcers, on a cushion of pressurized gas a distance abovethe mattress.

l 1 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates to apparatus for use in transporting anon-ambulatory patient from one surface to another.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art per se known by theapplicant consists of the K01] etal. U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,979. However,other patents known by the applicant which depend upon the air cushionart include the Mackie U.S. Pat. No. 3,251,431; the Amann et al. U.S.Pat. No. 3,282,360; the Burns U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,362; and the NagamatsuU.S. Pat. No. 3,416,626. Further, patents known by the applicant havingapparatus for supporting a body on a gaseous cushion consists of: theHopkins U.S. Pat. No. 3,340,551; the Scales et al. U.S. Pat. No.3,354,476; and the Weinstein et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,456,270.

The '979 patent utilizes a pair of oppositely turning endless beltshaving an upwardly directed planar surface which works its waybetweenthe patient and the bed so that the upperbelt eventually supports thepatient. Practicing this invention results inthe following chiefdisadvantages: Firstly, the apparatus is rather complicated, a featurewhich inherently makes the device expensive to construct. Secondly, thecontour of the patient, when lying on a bed, does not conform to theplanar surface of the belt upon which he ultimately is placed. Thisfeature results in possible discomfort to the patient as the apparatusis moved between him and his bed.

The 431 and 360 patents have structure for moving an appliance such as astove or refrigerator. The structure does not lend itself for use as apatient transporter.

The 362 patent pertains to an air cushion vehicle for a stretcher.However, the device includes elaborate structure that will enable thevehicle to pass over obstructions of reasonable size and negotiateuneven terrain without rendering the vehicle objectionably unstable. The362 device is directed towards expeditiously moving battle casualtiesfrom a battle area to locations at which such casualties can be givenfirst aid or from which they can be removed by military ambulances. The626 patent pertains to a ground effect vehicle. The structure of the 626patent enables a skim-board or a domestic vacuum cleaner to hover overboth carpeted and uncarpeted hard surfaces. The 626 patent apparentlysolves the problem of enabling a vacuum cleaner or skim-board to hoverovercarpeted surfaces with loads up to 100 lbs. in weight without morethan the exhaust airoutput of a conventional domestic vacuum cleaner.The structure of the 626 patent does not lend itself for use as apatient transporter.

The '5 51 patent pertains to apparatus for supporting a body on agaseous cushion; however, even though the 551 patent has numerousmodifications and volumous drawings, the structure of the instantapplication is not shown or suggested therein.

The 476 patent pertains to' apparatus for supporting a human body or thelike on a cushion of pressurized gas. However, the 476 patent isdependent upon an elaborate arrangement of slidable slats so as to forman aperture having somewhat the shape of a profile of the human body.The pressurized gas is directed outwardly from this aperture afterhaving passed through compartments formed by dividers for splitting theair flow.

The 270 patent pertains to a flotation apparatus which depends upon theinherent buoyancy of the human body to be floated ona body of water withthe patient being separated from the body of water by a membrane orbladder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towardsovercoming the disadvantages and problems relative to previous patienttransporters. The concept of the present invention is to provide adevice for substantial effortless moving of a patient from a bed to acart, e. g., a recovery room stretcher or the like, and from the cart tothe bed or any other non-porous surface. The can has structure whichenables the horizontal surface-thereof to be raised or lowered so thatit may be flush with abed, an X- ray table, and/or an operating table orthe like.-

The operating principle of which the instant invention depends relatesto an air cushion :eflect, i. e., a cushion of air between an object anda non-porous resting surface enables the object to be moved to and froover the resting surface substantially effortlessly due to the floatingtendency of the object and the substantial absence of friction.Accordingly, the horizontal surface of the bed, i. e., the upper surfaceof the mattress or the like, preferably is provided with an impervioussheet or the like.

An important feature of the present invention is a unique inflatablemattress including waffle-like'structure defining numerous bulbousportions over both sides thereof when inflated. Adjacent the apices ofthe bulbous portions on one side only of the mattress are nozzles forexhausting air jets outwardly and downwardly from the mattress. Anairpump, being in communication with the interior of the mattress,maintains the mattress in an inflated state even though the air israther rapidly escaping outwardly and downwardly so as to form the aircushion subjacent the mattress. The air cushion subjacent the mattressenables an unassisted person, e. g., a nurse 'or the like, to easilyslide the inflated mattressfrom the bed to the cart, etc.

It should be understood that the inflatable mattress is preferablyplaced upon the air impervious sheet or the like prior to the patient.In other words, the inflatable mattress stays with the patientirrespective of the lower structure supporting the patient, e. g., abed, a mobile stretcher, and/or an X-ray table or the like. Obviously,the pump must be readily accessible to the mattress at the variouslocations. Accordingly, it is anticipated that the cart or recovery roomstretcher be fitted with structure for permanently supporting the pumpand ancillary conduit, etc.

Another important feature of the present invention is that theinflatable mattress may be inverted so that the air nozzles direct theair upwardly from the mattress. Thus, when a patient is placed on theinflatable mattress, the exhausting air, which jets outwardly andupwardly from the mattress, develops an air cushion betweenthe body ofthe patient and the upper surface of the inflatable mattress. Obviously,the pump is in constant operation and maintains a predetermined airpressure within the mattress while the rapidly exiting air forms an aircushion. This environment-is particularly beneficial for a patienthaving decubitus ulcers because his blood circulation is enhanced, adrying effect of the ulcer is achieved, and pressure on his ulcers isminimized or eliminated to aid in healing thereof.

The advantages of the patient transporter of the present invention are:l The device is economical to fabricate; (2) it is simple to operate;(3) the patient is not disturbed while being transported since hisnormal contours while lying on the usual mattress are maintained whilethe inflated mattress is inflated and while he is moved from the bed tothe cart; (4) one person can easily move a heavy patient from a bed to arecovery room stretcher or the like. The stretcher is wheeled to theX-ray or operating room where one person can move the patient from thestretcher to a table surface. The inflatable mattress does not block orinterfere with X-ray radiation, even though the mattress remains beneaththe patient; (5) the device has numerous uses other than a patienttransporter, e. g., aiding in healing decubitus ulcers, as justdescribed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 3 is a sectional view of themattress taken as on the line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a hospital bed illustrating another use of theinflatable mattress, showing the patient floatably supported on acushion of pressurized gas a distance above the mattress.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line V-V of FIG.2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The patient transporter of thepresent invention is character-referenced in the drawings by the numeral11 and generally includes a four-wheeled cart 13 having a horizontallydisposed padded non-porous surface 15, an inflatable mattress l7, and amechanically driven air pump 19 for inflating the mattress 17.

Detailed structure of the cart 13 is not disclosed since any suitabletype may be used. However, I prefer to use an 80 inch hydraulic recoveryroom stretcher currently being manufactured by the Colson Company,located at Carruthersville, Missouri. The particular hospital stretcherbest suited for the intended purpose herein is further identified as aseries 6894 and includes a litter 21, a chassis 23, and a plurality ofcasters 25. The height of the litter 21 may be varied by aself-contained hydraulic system actuated by a foot lever 27. The cart 13preferably includes a non-porous stretcher pad 29 such as that listed inthe aforementioned Colson catalog and identified as a 4 inch conductivewith cover and Velcro tape No. 6810631.

Additionally, the cart 13 preferably is fitted with suitable structurefor supporting the pump 19. The pump 19 communicates with the interiorof the mattress 17 through a flexible conduit 31. The pump 19 preferablyis driven by an electric motor 33 operated from any convenient outlet ina hospital room. Accordingly, the motor 33 is provided with a ty icalelectrical cable 35 having the one end thereof connected to the motor 33and the other end thereof connected to a male plug 37. The output of thepump 19 may be varied by a rheostat 39, i. e., the rheostat 39 beinginterposed between the motor 33 and the plug 37 as schematicallydepicted in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

It should be understood that the pump 19 should be capable ofmaintaining a relatively low air pressure within the mattress 17, e. g.,2 lbs. per square inch or the like, and the volumetric output of thepump 19 preferably is a nominal 100 cubic feet per minute for reasonsyet to be disclosed.

The mattress 17 preferably is integrally formed from a filament webofmaterial impregnated with an air impervious coating. From FIGS. 2 and 3of the drawings, it may be seen that the outer surface of the mattress17 is formed from a web of nylon cloth-like material 41 beingimpregnated with an interior coating of air impervious conductiveneoprene 43 or the like. Further, it may been seen that the mattress 17has a first side 45 and a second side 47. A plurality of cotton ties 49,being symmetrically arranged and disposed between the first and secondsides 45, 47, are bonded to the first and second sides 45, 47 so as toproduce a waffle-like surface to the first and second sides 45, 47 whenthe mattress 17 is inflated.

The ties 49 consist of short lengths of cotton material bonded togethermedially thereof so as to form opposing flap portions 51, 53, structureobvious to those skilled in the art. The respective flap portions 51, 53having a length greater than their width, e. g., -2 X1 inch, are bondedto the first and sides 45 47 by any well known bonding agent obvious tothose skilled in the art.

From FIG. 5 of the drawing, it may be seen that the ties 49 are arrangedin rows and the spacing thereof is such that adjacent rows are staggeredone with the other. Further, the longitudinal axes of adjacent ties 49within each row are preferably perpendicular one with the other so as toform the waffle pattern just described. The size of each tuft or bulbousportion forming the waffle pattern preferably is a nominal 4 inches fromside to side. In placing the ties 49, the important concept is to avoida pattern that will result in a straight or continuous valley betweentufts for reasons yet to be disclosed. Thus, I prefer the waffle patternjust described. It should be understood that each of the bulbousportions making up the waffle-like pattern communicate internally onewith the other so that the inrushing air from the pump 19 is readilydistributed throughout the entire interior of the mattress 17.

The bulbous portions of the first side 45 of the mattress 17respectively include nozzles 55 for exhausting air jets outwardly anddownwardly as the pump 19 continuously maintains a predetermined airpressure within the mattress 17. The nozzles 55 may be formed in anywell known manner; however, I prefer that the nozzles 55 be formed byhaving a void of conductive neoprene 43 adjacent the apex of eachbulbous portion. In this manner, the outer surface of the first side 45is continuous and a smooth uninterrupted contour is achieved. It shouldbe understood that the interstices between the minute filaments of thenylon clothlike material 41 allow for rapid exhausting of air from theinterior of the mattress 17, thus providing the necessary air jets whichsubstantially provide separation between the mattress l7 and the surfaceupon which it may be resting, e. g., the non-porous stretcher pad or thelike. It should further be understood that the nylon material 41provides reinforcement so that the nozzles 55 won't tear and the edgesthereof won't flare outwardly. The size of the nozzles 55 may be variedso as to be compatible with the volumetric output of the pump 19 and theoverall area of the mattress 17. However, the preferred size of thenozzle 55 is a nominal 1 inch diameter circle.

The mattress 17 preferably also includes a peripheral inflatable skirt57 communicating internally thereof with the bulbous portions so thatwhen the mattress 17 is inflated, the lower surface of the skirt 57contiguously engages the surface upon which the mattress 17 is resting,e. g., the stretcher pad 29 or the like. Accordingly, the height of theskirt 57, when inflated, is at least as great as the distance from theapices of the bulbous portions of the first side 45 to the apices of thebulbous portions of the second side 47 for substantially capturing apocket of air between the first side 45 of the mattress 17 and the pad29 when the mattress 17 is inflated.

The skirt 57 may be formed in any well known manner obvious to thoseskilled in the art, e. g., an integrally formed tubu-. lar portion 59adjacent the first side 45 and extending the length of the perimeter ofthe mattress 17, a second tubular portion 61 adjacent the second side 47and also extending the length of the perimeter of the mattress 17. Thetubular portions 59, 61 may be maintained at a spaced apart distance byan intermediate member 63 which may be somewhat rigid or theintermediate member 63 may be fixedly attached to random ties 49 withadditional cotton material (not shown).

The mattress l7 additionally includes an inlet nozzle 65 for receivingthe conduit 31. The inlet nozzle 65 communicates with the interior ofthe mattress 17 through a port 67 conveniently located on the member 63,i. e., the port 67 preferably being located intermediate the length ofthe mattress 17 substantially as depicted ,in FIG. 4 of the drawings.The pump 19 preferably should be capable of maintaining a rather low airpressure, e. g., 2 lbs. per square inch, within the mattress 17 whilemoving a rather high volume of air, e. g., cubic feet per minute or thelike. This will provide rigidity for the mattress 17, maintain anoptimum spaced apart distance between the first and second sides 45, 47thereof, and substantially floatably suspend the mattress 17 above thepad 29 so that the mattress 17 and a patient P resting thereon may befrictionlessly slidfrom the cart 13 to a bed 69 or other horizontalsurface, e. g., an X-ray or operating table (not shown).

It should be understood that the bed 69 preferably is provided with anon-porous horizontal surface, i. e., a rubberized sheet 71 (FIGS. 2 and3). The bed 69 preferably includes a conventional mattress 73 and othertypical structure normally associated with a hospital bed. In thisregard, the mattress 73 may have an outer surface of non-porousmaterial, in which case the rubberized sheet 71 would be superfluous.The purpose for the rubberized sheet 71 is to deflect the air jetsexiting from the nozzles 55 so that a spaced apart distance ismaintained between the first side 45 of the mattress 17 and the sheet71.

The preferred sequence of operation preferably commences by having theinflatable mattress 17 previously placed on the conventional mattress 73prior to the patient P being initially admitted or placed upon the bed69. Obviously, the mattress 17 would be deflated and preferably coveredby the usual percale sheet. For this reason, the nozzle 65 preferably isextremely flexible so as not to present an objectionable bulge whichobviously would annoy or possibly irritate the patient P. Assuming thepatient P to be non-ambulatory, once he is placed on the mattress 17, hestays with the mattress 17 from his bed 69 to the cart 13 where he maybe wheeled to various strategic parts of a hospital, e. g., an operatingroom or an X- ray facility (not shown). In this regard, the patient P ismoved from the bed 69 to the cart 13 by activating the pump 19 whichinflates the mattress 17. Obviously, obese or heavy patients requiremore force to lift than do thin or light patients. Accordingly, therheostat 39 may be manually adjusted so that the output from the pump 19is compatible with the weight of the patient P. It should be understoodthat the cart 13 is manually wheeled so as to be disposed alongside orparallel with the bed 69, as best illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

The patient P is effortlessly moved from his bed 69 to the cart 13 byone person or operator, e. g., a nurse or the like. The location of therheostat 39 is optional. However, I prefer that the rheostat be attachedto the flexible conduit 31 adjacent the end received by the nozzle 65.This is so the operator can quickly and frequently change the setting ofthe rheostat 39 as desired while manually moving the mattress 17supporting the patient P from the bed 69 to the cart 13. If desired,rheostat 39 may be foot controlled in which case it would be located onthe floor or the bottom of cart 13.

It should be understood that the crack or space between the cart 13 andthe bed 69 will allow some of the air jets to escape straight down andnot be deflected by either the pad 29 or the sheet 71. However, there issufficient lift provided by the remaining air jets to allow forfrictionless sliding of the mattress 17 from the bed 69 to the cart 13.In certain instances it may be necessary to slightly increase the outputof the pump 19. Thus, ready access to the rheostat 39 is recommended.

It should be understood that the waffle-like structure defining thenumerous bulbous portions over the first side 45 of the mattress 17 doesnot provide a straight or continuous valley between tufts for allowing arush of air alongthe valley. This would somewhat diminish the optimumair cushion effect and would be more noticeable as the valley portion ofthe mattress 17 passed over the crack or crevice between the bed 69 andthe cart 13.

The operator merely guides the mattress 17 to a preferred location fromone surface to another. The air cushion effect accomplishes the workwhich should result in greatly reducing back strains on hospitalemployees. Additionally, the patient transporter 1 1 of the presentinvention should reduce the number of hospital employees required, i.e., one person, male or female, can now move a patient from his bed 69to the cart 13. where he may be easily wheeled to strategic locations inthe hospital where the patient can again be moved effortlessly from thecart 13 as previously disclosed.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawing wherein it may be seen that themattress 17 is made use of for a different purpose than that justdisclosed. FIG. 4 shows the usual hospital bed 69 having the usualmattress 73 for supporting the patient P. Additionally, the inflatablemattress 17 of the present invention is interposed between the mattress73 and the patient P. Further, the mattress 17 is positioned so that thefirst side 45, having the nozzles 55 therein, is directed upwardly, forreasons yet to be disclosed.

The pump 19, being disassociated from the cart 13, is placed adjacentthe bed 69 and communicates with the mattress 17 through the previouslydisclosed conduit 31. The pump 19 preferably is actuated by thepreviously disclosed rheostat 39 for inflating the mattress 17. When themattress 17 is thusly positioned and inflated, the nozzles 55 allow forexhausting of air jets outwardly and upwardly from the first side 45thereof. Accordingly, the patient P is supported a spaced apart distanceabove the first side 45 of the mattress 17 on a gaseous cushion of airas the pump 19 continuously maintains a predetermined air pressurewithin the mattress 17, e. g., 2 lbs. per square inch or the like.

This'use is particularly directed toward treatment of a patient P whomay have burns over his body or a portion thereof or may have decubitusulcers or the like where the weight of the patient P appliesobjectionable pressure on these sores when he is supported by theconventional mattress. Therefore, supporting a patient on a gaseouscushion relieves the pressure and promotes healing of the sores.Further, a drying efi'ect of the sores is also achieved.

Recent medical pioneering techniques in treating bum patients advocatethe use of heat in treating a burn, reference LECTURES POUR TOUS(October 1970), copyrighted 1970 by Edi-Monde S. A. R. L., AvenueRaymond Poincare, Paris 16, France, as appeared in the November 1970issue of the READERS DIGEST magazine. Accordingly, it is anticipatedthat the mattress 17 of the present invention may be inflated with airwhich is temperature and humidity controlled, i. e., the air from thepump 19 would pass through a heated chamber (not shown) and/or amoisture decreasing chamber (not shown) before entering the inlet nozzle65, obvious structure to those skilled in the art.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respectto a preferred embodiment thereof, it is not to be so limited sincechanges and modifications may be made therein which are within the fullintended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device for transporting a patient while in a recumbent positionupon a bed having a horizontal substantially nonporous surface, saiddevice comprising a cart means disposed alongside said bed beingparallel and adjacent thereto also having a horizontal substantiallynon-porous surface, an inflatable mattress having first and second sidesthereto being interposed between said patient and said horizontalsurface of said bed with said first side thereof directed downwardly,air pump means for inflating said mattress, said mattress includingwafile-like structure defining numerous bulbous portions over said firstand second sides thereof when inflated by said pump means, said bulbousportions of said mattress communicating internally thereof one with theother, said bulbous portions of said first side of said mattressrespectively including nozzle means for exhausting air jets outwardlyand downwardly as said pump means continuously maintains a predeterminedair pressure within said mattress for providing rigidity thereto, forseparating said first and second sides as said patient is supported bysaid second side, and for substantially floatably suspending saidmattress above said horizontal surface of said bed so that said mattressand said patient may be frictionlessly slid from said bed to said cartand from said cart to said bed.

2. The transporting device of claim 1 in which said mattress issubstantially integrally formed from a filament web impregnated with anair impervious coating.

3. The transporting device of claim 2 in which the respective apices ofsaid bulbous portions of said first side of said mattress are void ofsaid air impervious coating to define said nozzles.

4. The transporting device of claim 3 in which said mattress includesperipheral inflatable skirt means communicating internally thereof withsaid bulbous portions, said skirt means having a height at least asgreat as the distance from the apices of the bulbous portions of saidfirst side to the apices of the bulbous portions of said second side forsubstantially capturing a pocket of air subjacent said bulbous portionsof said first side of said mattress when said mattress is inflated andsupported on said non-porous surfaces of said bed or said cart means,

5. The transporting device of claim 4 in which is included means forvarying the volume of air being delivered by said pump means.

6. The transporting device of claim 5 in which said air imperviouscoating consists of conductive neoprene.

7. The combination with a bed having a horizontal surface of aninflatable mattress disposed on top of the bed, air pump means forinflating said mattress, said mattress having first and second sides andincluding waffle-like structure defining numerous bulbous portions oversaid first and second sides thereof when inflated by said pump means,said bulbous portions of said mattress communicating internally thereofone with the other, said mattress being disposed on said horizontalsurface of said bed with said first side thereof facing upwardly, saidbulbous portions of said first side of said mattress including aplurality of small nozzle means disposed over a substantial portion ofsaid first side for'exhausting air jets outwardly and upwardly as saidpump means continuously maintains a predetermined air pressure withinsaid mattress for floatably urging a patient having decubitus ulcersupwardly from said first side thereof so that his blood circulation isenhanced, a drying effect is achieved, and pressure on his decubitusulcers is minimized to aid in the healing thereof.

8. The transporting device of claim 7 in which said mattress isintegrally formed from a filament web impregnated with an air imperviouscoating.

9. The transporting device of claim 8 in which the respective apices ofsaid bulbous portions of said first side of said mattress are void ofsaid air impervious coating to define said nozzle means.

10. A device for transporting a patient while in a recumbent positionupon a bed having a horizontal substantially nonporous surface, saiddevice comprising a cart means disposed alongside said bed beingparallel and adjacent thereto also having a horizontal substantiallynon-porous surface, an inflatable mattress having first and second sidesthereto being interposed between said patient and said horizontalsurface of said bed with said first side thereof directed downwardly,air pump means for inflating said mattress, said first side includingnozzle means for exhausting air jets outwardly and downwardly as saidpump means continuously maintains a predetermined air pressure withinsaid mattress for providing rigidity thereto, for separating said firstand second sides as said patient is supported by said second side, andfor substantially floatably suspending said mattress above saidhorizontal surface of said bed so that said mattress and said patientmay be frictionlessly slid from said bed to said cart and from said cartto said bed.

11. The combination with a bed having a horizontal surface of aninflatable mattress disposed on top of the bed, air pump means forinflating said mattress, said mattress having first and second sidessaid mattress being disposed on said horizontal surface of said bed withsaid first side thereof facing upwardly, said first side of saidmattress including a plurality of small nozzle means disposed over asubstantial portion of said first side for exhausting a plurality of airjets outwardly and upwardly as said pump means continuously maintains apredetermined air pressure within said mattress for floatably urging apatient having decubitus ulcers upwardly from said first side thereof sothat his blood circulation is enhanced, a drying effect is achieved, andpressure on his decubitus ulcers is minimized to aid in the healingthereof.

1. A device for transporting a patient while in a recumbent positionupon a bed having a horizontal substantially non-porous surface, saiddevice comprising a cart means disposed alongside said bed beingparallel and adjacent thereto also having a horizontal substantiallynon-porous surface, an inflatable mattress having first and second sidesthereto being interposed between said patient and said horizontalsurface of said bed with said first side thereof directed downwardly,air pump means for inflating said mattress, said mattress includingwaffle-like structure defining numerous bulbous portions over said firstand second sides thereof when inflated by said pump means, said bulbousportions of said mattress communicating internally thereof one with theother, said bulbous portions of said first side of said mattressrespectively including nozzle means for exhausting air jets outwardlyand downwardly as said pump means continuously maintains a predeterminedair pressure within said mattress for providing rigidity thereto, forseparating said first and second sides as said patient is supported bysaid second side, and for substantially floatably suspending saidmattress above said horizontal surface of said bed so that said mattressand said patient may be frictionlessly slid from said bed to said cartand from said cart to said bed.
 2. The transporting device of claim 1 inwhich said mattress is substantially integrally formed from a filamentweb impregnated with an air impervious coating.
 3. The transportingdevice of claim 2 in which the respective apices of said bulbousportions of said first side of said mattress are void of said airimpervious coating to define said nozzles.
 4. The transporting device ofclaim 3 in which said mattress includes peripheral inflatable skirtmeans communicating internally thereof with said bulbous portions, saidskirt means having a height at least as great as the distance from theapices of the bulbous portions of said first side to the apices of thebulbous portions of said second side for substantially capturing apocket of air subjacent said bulbous portions of said first side of saidmattress when said mattress is inflated and supported on said non-poroussurfaces of said bed or said cart means.
 5. The transporting device ofclaim 4 in which is included means for varying the volume of air beingdelivered by said pump means.
 6. The transporting device of claim 5 inwhich said air impervious coating consists of conductive neoprene. 7.The combination with a bed having a horizontal surface of an inflatablemattress disposed on top of the bed, air pump means for inflating saidmattress, said mattress having first and second sides and includingwaffle-like structure defining numerous bulbous portions over said firstand second sides thereof when inflated by said pump means, said bulbousportions of said mattress communicating internally thereof one with theother, said mattress being disposed on said horizontal surface of saidbed with said first side thereof facing upwardly, said bulbous portionsof said first side of said mattress including a plurality of smallnozzle means disposed over a substantial portion of said first side forexhausting air jets outwardly and upwardly as said pump meanscontiNuously maintains a predetermined air pressure within said mattressfor floatably urging a patient having decubitus ulcers upwardly fromsaid first side thereof so that his blood circulation is enhanced, adrying effect is achieved, and pressure on his decubitus ulcers isminimized to aid in the healing thereof.
 8. The transporting device ofclaim 7 in which said mattress is integrally formed from a filament webimpregnated with an air impervious coating.
 9. The transporting deviceof claim 8 in which the respective apices of said bulbous portions ofsaid first side of said mattress are void of said air impervious coatingto define said nozzle means.
 10. A device for transporting a patientwhile in a recumbent position upon a bed having a horizontalsubstantially non-porous surface, said device comprising a cart meansdisposed alongside said bed being parallel and adjacent thereto alsohaving a horizontal substantially non-porous surface, an inflatablemattress having first and second sides thereto being interposed betweensaid patient and said horizontal surface of said bed with said firstside thereof directed downwardly, air pump means for inflating saidmattress, said first side including nozzle means for exhausting air jetsoutwardly and downwardly as said pump means continuously maintains apredetermined air pressure within said mattress for providing rigiditythereto, for separating said first and second sides as said patient issupported by said second side, and for substantially floatablysuspending said mattress above said horizontal surface of said bed sothat said mattress and said patient may be frictionlessly slid from saidbed to said cart and from said cart to said bed.
 11. The combinationwith a bed having a horizontal surface of an inflatable mattressdisposed on top of the bed, air pump means for inflating said mattress,said mattress having first and second sides said mattress being disposedon said horizontal surface of said bed with said first side thereoffacing upwardly, said first side of said mattress including a pluralityof small nozzle means disposed over a substantial portion of said firstside for exhausting a plurality of air jets outwardly and upwardly assaid pump means continuously maintains a predetermined air pressurewithin said mattress for floatably urging a patient having decubitusulcers upwardly from said first side thereof so that his bloodcirculation is enhanced, a drying effect is achieved, and pressure onhis decubitus ulcers is minimized to aid in the healing thereof.